Missions

When Spain ruled Mexico (New Spain) and a huge swath of what is now the US, Spain had missions established from Baja California up through the town of San Rafael in today's California. Most of the Alta California missions were established in the 1770s. (On the opposite coast, the American War of Independence was from 1775 to 1783.) After Mexico became independent from Spain (1821), only one mission (in Sonoma) was founded and that was done without official permission of the Church. Eventually there wasn't enough money to continue to support the missions, which were notified that they would now have to support themselves. In the ensuing years, many could not afford the upkeep on the building which for many, over time, meant deterioration of buildings and, for some, the closing of the mission. Missions are now restored as historical parks, but do continue to hold services of worship. I apologize for not taking the iconic front shots of missions I've visited. I tended to be interested in particular bits that caught my eye at the time. Compiling this gallery made me wish I had been more thorough. The ones I have visited are shown here in order of their founding